Uh Oh! Rep-Elect Allen West Calls For Censoring US Media Regarding WikiLeaks Coverage

Newly elected and TEA Party Favorite Col. Allen West (R-FL) has called for the government to step in and keep the media from reporting on any of the WikiLeaks released leaks:



Transcript:

WEST: There are different means by which you can be attacked. I mean it doesnt have to be a bomb or an airplane flying into a building. It doesn't have to be a shooting. It can be through cyber attacks, it could be through leaking of very sensitive classified information. Regardless of whether you think it causes any harm, the fact that here is an individual that is not an American citizen first and foremost, for whatever reason gotten his hands on classified American material and put it out there in the public domain. And I think that we also should be censoring the American news agencies which enabled him to do this and also supported him and applauding him for the efforts. So that's kind of aiding and abetting of a serious crime.

This is like closing the barn doors, after the cows have all stampeded out. The information is already our there, regardless of whether they read it in the New York Times or on the WikiLeaks site only. There is no extra harm in letting the media cover what has already been exposed.

He does have a point that terrorism can show up in many forms, and some would call this an act of cyber-terrorism. However, unless the media outlets are funding WikiLeaks and their attempts to break into national security databases to steal information, they shouldn't be punished for reported on what has already been brought to light.

Julian Assange should be tried for espionage for his activities related to his WikiLeaks website, but those that report on the leaks shouldn't be without direct proof that there was collusion between Assange and certain members of the media.

The freedom of the press is a basic American right that should be fiercely protected. It was in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights for a reason. It is one of the most exalted and revered rights that we have. West shouldn't have dismissed that so easily, no matter what his intent.

Assange Bailed Out of Jail By Michael Moore, Moore Calls Assange "Patriot"

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was bailed out by uber-liberal Michael Moore:

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange made bail today with the financial help of a new ally—documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, who is siding with the joyful crowds of self-proclaimed advocates of free speech that were lined up outside the London courthouse.

Moore posted $20,000 to help Assange after his bail was set at $315,000, and strict conditions require Assange to surrender his passport, abide by a curfew, and wear an electronic tag. The ordeal isn’t over yet—Swedish prosecutors filed an appeal and Assange will remain in jail until it's heard by London's high court within 48 hours, according to the Guardian.

In a statement release by Moore, he implies that Julian Assange is a patriot for his activities related to the Wikileaks website:

"That is no crime. That is an act of patriotism," Moore said in the statement.

Although Moore’s defense centered on WikiLeaks, Assange isn’t being held on crimes related to his website. Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden for allegations of rape, sexual molestation, and unlawful coercion. His lawyers said they will contest Sweden’s attempt to extradite him from London for fear he could be turned over to the United States.

This charge is just a place-holder as Attorney General Holder and Secretary of State Clinton are looking to charge Assange with espionage for the activities revolving around Wikileaks.

According to The Guardian, "Assange's bail conditions include surrendering his passport, a curfew and an electronic tag", and "Assange's next court appearance will be on 11 January 2011." Arresting him for this iffy crime was done so they'll know where he is, if they proceed to charge him here in the US.

Prominent Rep King (R-NY) Advises Sec Clinton & Obama Administration: Declare WikiLeaks a "Terrorist Organization"

In the wake yet another release of sensitive information vital to national security by the WikiLeaks website, many people from all sides of the political spectrum have called for something to be done to stop this. Many are worried that this will greatly affect our ability to maintain good diplomatic relations with our allies adversely and will put us a huge disadvantage in relation with our enemies.

Prominent Republican and Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Rep. Steve King of New York has presented an option that definitely deserves serious consideration:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should review whether WikiLeaks can be declared a terrorist organization, according to a senior Republican. 

Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.), the incoming chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, called for U.S. officials to get aggressive against WikiLeaks after the website published highly sensitive, classified diplomatic cables that reveal frank assessments of foreign leaders and the war on terror. 

I am calling on the attorney general and supporting his efforts to fully prosecute WikiLeaks and its founder for violating the Espionage Act. And I'm also calling on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to declare WikiLeaks a foreign terrorist organization, King said on WNIS radio on Sunday evening.

By doing that, we will be able to seize their funds and go after anyone who provides them help or contributions or assistance whatsoever, he said. To me, they are a clear and present danger to America.

WikiLeaks has released thousands of cables that reveal embarrassing comments about foreign leaders and U.S. operations abroad. The White House and Clinton have been forced to conduct an outreach campaign to smooth the waters.

The Obama administration hasn't taken legal action against WikiLeaks, but has condemned the release in the harshest terms. But the clamor for legal action by lawmakers in both parties increased the pressure for prosecution based on the leaks.

Clinton has the authority to declare an organization a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), a formal designation that allows the U.S. government some leeway in taking action. The current list of 47 FTOs includes al Qaeda and its various offshoots; Hamas; and a variety of other groups.

King expressed confidence that other lawmakers in both parties would rally to his strategy toward WikiLeaks. The website CNET published excerpts of King's letter to Clinton on Sunday.

I'm confident you'll find many people in the Congress, the House and Senate, who will support my demand for the prosecution, and also the declaring of WikiLeaks to be a foreign terrorist organization, he said.

Releasing these documents are tantamount to a form of cyber-warfare. Why not treat this as a form of terrorism or treason?